With tri-fins and 360’s to spare, Lost 5’5” x 19 ¼ Redux proves that it’s not the motion of the ocean, or the size of the board, it’s the pure shredability of the stick. The remake (redux) of the early 90’s surf film, dedicated to thick barrels and short fish, features heavy beach breaks shallow enough to bring the manliest of shaper to tears, some 90’s punk tunes, and butt loads of neon. Held at the classic La Paloma theater in Encinitas, the throwback surf video loads up on heavy rippers, including Chris Ward, Shane Beschen and Dane Reynolds, putting sub 5’6” boards to their limits. Ending with Cory Lopez and Ian Walsh surfing some epic, endless tubes, numero dos of 5’5” x 19 ¼” doesn’t disappoint. And after Kelly Slater’s recent Pipemasters Victory with “Deep Six”, a 5’11” shred stick, the film reaffirms bigger doesn’t always mean better.

With seven ASP world titles, countless victories, and the place as the most successful female professional surfer ever, Layne Beachley finally passed on the torch in October of this year. To celebrate her lifetime of accomplishments and her recent engagement to long time boyfriend Kirk Pengilly, friends, family and industry supporters hosted a tear-inducing and bubbly-popping surprise celebration for Layne this past week. Known for being one of the most prominent cataylsts for the advancement of women’s pro surfing, there was no shortage of surfers and friends to show their support at the Waimea gala. Included in the guest list were fellow World Champions and friends Lisa Anderson (4x World Champ), Sofia Mulonovich (1x World Champ), and Stephanie Gilmore (current 2x World Champ), who all dipped their straws in the cocktail-filled ASP world title cup.

To add to the smiles and overall jolly and sentimental mood of the night were the guest’s Layne costumes. The theme of the night was “dress like Layne.” This exploded into a mélange of Oakley and Zinc-faced, bandaged (from the famous fin accident in Japan circa 97’), big bikini-bottomed Layne look-alikes who took the opportunity to add some good-hearted roast-worthy moments to the night’s events. To top off the night, Layne received some great gifts, including a special Pipeline book from Sean Collins and the folks at Surfline in which all the guests from the evening signed. (more…)